Stories of Strength
Meet Jamie, a mom of three who has faced significant challenges while working to build a brighter future for her family. Hear her story, in her own words, and learn how resilience, determination, and the right support can create meaningful change.
“I made it. I finally made it to housing. It was a struggle, but I finally made it somewhere where I can afford the rent.”
Across Rhode Island, housing continues to be a challenge for many households trying to make ends meet. For Jamie, her family’s safety was everything. Using her own funds to stay in a hotel allowed her family to remain together and avoid other forms of homelessness, but it was not a long-term solution. Understanding that homelessness affects people in different ways is important. Homelessness can include staying in shelters, hotels, vehicles, or temporarily living with friends or family when there is nowhere else to go.
Having stable housing impacts so much more than just where someone sleeps at night. When individuals and families have a safe and secure place to call home, they are better able to focus on their health, education, employment, and overall well-being. A stable home can reduce stress, strengthen family relationships, and provide a sense of normalcy during difficult times. As Jamie shared, having a roof over your head is important, but it is not the same as having a home where you can cook a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, enjoy privacy, create memories, and simply be together as a family. A home provides comfort, stability, and the opportunity to build a future.
What does stigma mean?
A negative belief, judgment, or stereotype about a person or group based on a particular characteristic, experience, or circumstance. Stigmas that surround individuals are harmful, inaccurate, and can prevent people from being seen as whole human beings.
Why does this matter?
There are many misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding people who experience homelessness. These inaccurate assumptions can create barriers to understanding, compassion, and access to support.
Through sharing these stories, we hope to challenge those perceptions and remind our community that homelessness can affect anyone facing difficult circumstances.
Our call to the community is simple: we can all do better to approach others with respect, empathy, and dignity, especially those navigating some of life’s greatest challenges. Taking the time to listen and learn more helps us better understand the experiences of others and challenges the assumptions we may unknowingly hold. Staying informed about issues like homelessness allows us to see beyond stereotypes and recognize the complex factors that contribute to it. When we commit to learning, we become better equipped to respond with compassion rather than judgment. Respectful engagement helps foster a community where people feel valued, heard, and supported.
This understanding informs how we meet people where they are. Our services are designed to empower the individuals and families we serve by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to build stability, achieve their goals, and live lives they can be proud of.